A close-up of the veneer on the inside of the doors. That's the birthdate of the designer's daughter.

Eric Bangeman

Each SV Coupe includes the signature of the designer inside the door.

Eric Bangeman

If you don't want to scratch the sycamore-walnut veneer, there's a cover available. The buttons at right will raise or lower the rear of the car and slide the floor out for easy loading.

The back seats are the same as the front, but with slightly fewer adjustments and in black.

Eric Bangeman

That's actual rose gold outlining the letters.

Eric Bangeman

A cutaway, top-down view of the cabin.

Land Rover

CHICAGO—When you think of Land Rover, what comes to mind? For me, it’s two things: ancient off-roaders trekking about the African savannah in the nature documentaries of my youth, and modern, well-appointed luxury SUVs. Nearly 50 years later, Land Rover is trying to meld the two worlds with a large, two-door SUV that can drive through three feet of water. It’s the Range Rover SV Coupe, and it starts at $295,000. A limited edition—only 999 will be sold—the luxury SUV is intended to evoke the early days of Range Rover (think two-door Series I-III), but it comes with several ultra-luxurious twists.

Further Reading

We got our first glimpse of the SV Coupe at the last Geneva Auto Show, but when I found out there was one on display at a Land Rover dealership not far from my house—even with a price tag one digit too large for my tastes—my curiosity was piqued. I spent about a half-hour there being introduced to a pre-production SV Coupe in a look-but-don’t-touch encounter.

Under the hood is a 5.0L supercharged V8 that cranks 557hp and 516lb-ft of torque. With a max speed of 165mph (265kph), it can do 0-to-60 in five seconds flat (the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio does it in 3.6 seconds). You’ll sit about 0.3in (8mm) lower than a standard Range Rover, dropping an additional 0.6in (15mm) once you hit 65mph (104kph). The SV Coupe also features always-on AWD with a two-speed transfer box and active locking rear differential, just in case you want to see how well a $300,000 car does off-road.

The car I got close to is actually priced at $360,000, and after a couple of minutes examining it, the price tag is... understandable. Let's start with the Range Rover badge on the front, which is trimmed in rose gold. (Yes, that’s actual gold, and that’s just the start.) The interior of the door is a sycamore-walnut veneer and the seats are covered in diamond-quilted, semi-aniline leather all sourced from a single, century-old tannery (presumably from cows that were lovingly killed). Other touches include things like an optional refrigerator in the center console and the designer’s signature backlit on the floorboard.

If that’s not enough opulence for you, there’s plenty on the exterior. In addition to the precious-metal badge, the SV Coupe comes with an optional two-toned paint for the doors and liftgate in either gloss or satin finish, creating a horseshoe effect. Speaking of the doors, they are massive, as one would expect from a two-door SUV. But no need to reach for the handle once you’re comfortably ensconced in the diamond-quilted leather seats—just press the power close button on the center console, and the doors will gently swing shut.

The SV Coupe also includes all of the in-car and driver-assist tech available from Land Rover, including a heads-up display, 23-speaker 3D sound system, 10-inch InControl touchscreen infotainment display, and a 12-inch HD instrument panel display.

There are more luxury touches in the SV Coupe than there are models in the Jaguar-Land Rover lineup; head over to the Land Rover USA website if you want the full sumptuous monty. If you have the means to contemplate the purchase of a Lamborghini Urus or Bentley Bentayga, but want something from a manufacturer with just a smidge more experience building SUVs, you should check out the Range Rover Coupe SV. At least with the two-toned paint job, other drivers won’t confuse it with a two-door Ford Flex.

The Range Rover SV Coupe comes in seven design packages and is now open for preorder, with vehicle delivery starting first quarter of 2019.

191 Reader Comments

I just don't see the value in a $360,000 vehicle like this. Yes if you have money, this isn't important - but this just seems expensive for the sake of being expensive. Like it's really just a fancy Ford Explorer with more advanced features - but we want to price it high enough so riff raff can't afford it an spoil our image.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

I just don't see the value in a $360,000 vehicle like this. Yes if you have money, this isn't important - but this just seems expensive for the sake of being expensive. Like it's really just a fancy Ford Explorer with more advanced features - but we want to price it high enough so riff raff can't afford it an spoil our image.

It's a feature, not a bug. The only reason for things like this to exists is for people to show of just how much money they have.

I just don't see the value in a $360,000 vehicle like this. Yes if you have money, this isn't important - but this just seems expensive for the sake of being expensive. Like it's really just a fancy Ford Explorer with more advanced features - but we want to price it high enough so riff raff can't afford it an spoil our image.

It's a feature, not a bug. The only reason for things like this to exists is for people to show of just how much money they have.

But...but...all my rich friends know the designer's name. You just have to have at least one of these!

...though my richer friends, you should see the designers they get into... oh man, I can't wait to have that much money.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

Things have changed. A friend once bought a used late-60's Cadillac limo (stretched a whole 8" longer than the original wheelbase!) and the selling point then was the number of ashtrays available. This thing had six - three up front and three in the rear.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

What's wrong with you people?

Considering our elected (by a broken electoral college) administration is justifying separating children from parents who cross the border illegally, even babies and toddlers, and are lying about the reports and ignoring medical professionals who say this is ruinously bad for the childrens' health... I'm going to go with "a lot of my fellow Americans are fucking horrible and broke-brained husks" for $1000, Alex.

Ooooh, cupholders on my wealth trophy! Glad that I'm putting my tax cut to good use instead of it being used by the government to make sure people don't go homeless and/or starve!

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

What's wrong with you people?

Yeah, how dare a class of people who commute two hours every day enjoy the simple pleasures of having a place to safely hold your cup. Americans must be idiots.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

What's wrong with you people?

Yeah, how dare a class of people who commute two hours every day enjoy the simple pleasures of having a place to safely hold your cup. Americans must be idiots.

Well, I mean, there's cup-holders, and then there's cup-holders. Now, your regular, bog standard cup holder will fit some stuff, but ain't no way it's gonna fit that gallon jug'o'soda you can get at some gas stations. For those, you need to upgrade to the XL Cupholders, Keystone edition. Now, those? Those are cup holders!

==========

Quote:

Got $360K burning a hole in your pocket?

Definitely not. I bought a house. ... actually, that's significantly more than twice what I spent on my house.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

What's wrong with you people?

Yeah, how dare a class of people who commute two hours every day enjoy the simple pleasures of having a place to safely hold your cup. Americans must be idiots.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

What's wrong with you people?

Yeah, how dare a class of people who commute two hours every day enjoy the simple pleasures of having a place to safely hold your cup. Americans must be idiots.

I just don't see the value in a $360,000 vehicle like this. Yes if you have money, this isn't important - but this just seems expensive for the sake of being expensive. Like it's really just a fancy Ford Explorer with more advanced features - but we want to price it high enough so riff raff can't afford it an spoil our image.

It's a feature, not a bug. The only reason for things like this to exists is for people to show of just how much money they have.

But...but...all my rich friends know the designer's name. You just have to have at least one of these!

...though my richer friends, you should see the designers they get into... oh man, I can't wait to have that much money.

If your happiness and quality of life depend upon your quantity of "things", you will never be truly happy.

I'm guessing these won't ever 'rove the range' until the 10th owner and 300k of depreciation. Heck even LR offers the Range Rover Evoque in front wheel drive (some markets) that can't 'rove the range.' They aren't even that roomy for passengers with Accords and Passats way out doing them in legroom. These are status symbols to impress strangers in the mall parking lot with your ruggedness.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

What's wrong with you people?

Yeah, how dare a class of people who commute two hours every day enjoy the simple pleasures of having a place to safely hold your cup. Americans must be idiots.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

What's wrong with you people?

Yeah, how dare a class of people who commute two hours every day enjoy the simple pleasures of having a place to safely hold your cup. Americans must be idiots.

IT HAD 14 CUPHOLDERS

IT HAS 7 SEATS

So what? Was there some other molded plastic feature it was missing?

What else should have been there?

Look.

A cupholder is... fine.

Multiple cupholders for each seat is WEIRD.

Multiple cupholders for each seat being a primary selling point to you is FUCKING WEIRD.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

What's wrong with you people?

Yeah, how dare a class of people who commute two hours every day enjoy the simple pleasures of having a place to safely hold your cup. Americans must be idiots.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

What's wrong with you people?

Yeah, how dare a class of people who commute two hours every day enjoy the simple pleasures of having a place to safely hold your cup. Americans must be idiots.

IT HAD 14 CUPHOLDERS

IT HAS 7 SEATS

So what? Was there some other molded plastic feature it was missing?

What else should have been there?

Look.

A cupholder is... fine.

Multiple cupholders for each seat is WEIRD.

Multiple cupholders for each seat being a primary selling point to you is FUCKING WEIRD.

Bullshit. I have about that many. Good for change, fries, cell phone charger... Even dogfood bowl when out on the mountain with the dogs. May as well ask why your pants have four pockets even though you only have two hands.

Where are the cup holders? That very table-like middle console is going to cause so many spills. I imagine the car will just smell of coffee and chai a few months later. Not bad, I guess. Maybe that is part of the design.

P.S. that designer must not be from this era. My first thought when seeing his daughter's birthday on the inside of the car was "so identity thiefs have the knowledge that this is a big designer with money, his name, can probably get his daughter's name, have automobile articles to get their attention and now have his daughter's birth date".

What on earth is it with Americans and cup-holders?

I test-drove a Tahoe recently and the rep proudly told me it had more cupholders than any other car in its class.

That was only the second thing he said about it. That was the second most important selling point in his mind.

What's wrong with you people?

Yeah, how dare a class of people who commute two hours every day enjoy the simple pleasures of having a place to safely hold your cup. Americans must be idiots.

Bullshit. I have about that many. Good for change, fries, cell phone charger... Even dogfood bowl when out on the mountain with the dogs. May as well ask why your pants have four pockets even though you only have two hands.

People here seem very autistic and can't possibly fathom that you can use a cup holder for something other than a cup.

If they called it a conical storage compartment I bet everyone would want MORE.